Ahead of tonight's opening in Cleere's Theatre, here's the brand spanking new trailer for The Union. Have a look and see St. Dominic's Student Union literally giving it socs.
The trailer takes its cue from the yearbook scene in Rushmore so we'll just chalk it down as a homage in the same way the show itself homages The Breakfast Club. It was a nice opportunity to explore some of the more eclectic activities on offer at this failing college and provides a nice backdrop for the events of the play and the titular union who are trying to set the best example they can. But ideals are very hard to maintain.
Come watch the rise and fall of the self proclaimed sexiest student union in Ireland when the show opens tonight, July 29th, in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny. The show runs until this Saturday August 1st, kicking off at 8pm nightly with tickets costing €12. If you want to book online, click here.
We hope you'll be giving it socs with us.

https://soundcloud.com/devioustheatre/the-union-cast-speak-to-kclr-afternoons
The cast of The Union took to the airwaves today.
Hazel Doyle, Kevin Mooney and Niall Morrissey appeared on Eoin Carey's show this afternoon to talk about the play, the ideas behind it, the writer Adrian Kavanagh and even previewed a scene. Get a special sneak preview of a scene between The Sports Officer, The President and The Ents Officer and marvel at their creative ways of replacing the word 'fuck'.
[caption id="attachment_6282" align="aligncenter" width="589"] KIlkenny minor hurling championship final with Dicksboro & O'Loughlin Gaels. Photo: Ken McGuire[/caption]

The Union opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/

[caption id="attachment_6270" align="aligncenter" width="589"] The cast of The Union are ready to meet you[/caption]
After two nights of previews in lovely Graiguenamanagh, we are primed and ready to open The Union this week in Kilkenny City. And we're really excited to show it to hometown audiences.
The play is a blast. It's an inventive, wild, raucous show that's half party, half mystery and all the plot pieces are scattered around like a jigsaw for both the audience and characters to pick up and put back together. The reception to the show in Graiguenamanagh was great. After five weeks in the bunker it was great to finally see it meet an audience. It also looks gorgeous with Kate Moylan's brilliant design being complimented by Niamh Moroney and Jack Power's lighting bag of tricks.
Here's a look at some production stills from the previews, courtesy of Ken McGuire.
[caption id="attachment_6271" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Niall Morrissey and Alexandra Christle in The Union[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6272" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Back to the office for some cans.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6274" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Big Daddy lets the 90's night rip. Photo: Ken McGuire[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6275" align="aligncenter" width="589"] They came to get down. Photo: Ken McGuire[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6276" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Tune. Photo: Ken McGuire[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_6279" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Tully's Sign. Photo: Ken McGuire[/caption]
And remember to get your tickets for this weeks run. With only 60 seats per night, they won't last long. The Union have come to get down. Make sure you do too.

The Union opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/

Today's the day we show The Union to the world. Well, Graiguenamanagh at least.
We're taking it to the home of the play's writer Adrian Kavanagh for the first of two preview performances. We'll be hitting The Duiske Inn, the spiritual home of Spark Productions. In fact, it is to Sparks what Cleeres Theatre is to us. Conveniently enough, we'll be bringing the show back to Cleeres next week for a 4 night run. The previews kick off tonight at 8pm and tickets are on the door for the preview friendly sum of €12.
Then we'll be packing it up and taking it back to Kilkenny for next week's 4 night run. The last four weeks of rehearsals have been a blast and as you can see, the cast of Hazel Doyle, Niall Morrissey, Kevin Mooney, Alexandra Christle and Colin O'Brien have gotten so in sync with each other that they're practically matching. Those St. Dominic's Student Union hoodies might just become a collector's item yet. Get on board, 6 chances only to catch The Union in action. Don't miss out on the team who put the party in party politics.

The Union previews in The Duiske Inn, Graiguenamanagh tonight July 24th & tomorrow July 25th. The show opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. For ticket bookings please go to:http://devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/

Here's our final character poster for The Union.The Vice President of St. Dominic’s Student Union is played by Alexandra Christle.
€10,060 stolen. 5 suspects. Let’s see how united this Union really is. #stdominics4ever
The Union opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. Previews take place in The Duiske Inn, Graiguenamanagh on July 24th & 25th. For ticket bookings please go to: http://devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/

Adrian Kavanagh writes about the writing of his new play The Union.
Did you ever get that feeling, that you are exactly where you need to be? It happened to me when I first walked in the doors of Devious Theatre. They were residing in Kilkenny Arts Office, (the building is now gone) working on their In The Future When All is Well residency. They were casting for a play called Shifting by John Kennedy. Right up my street. As soon as I walked in I knew I needed to be there, to be involved. I was 20. I was cast as a cocky student, Eamon, who came down to party and get the shift. Typecast. The play was great, the people were great and the audience loved it. From that moment, I wanted to write something for Devious, something great. And now here I am, nearly 25, and they are about to hit the stage with The Union.
‘Why the fuck did I write I that, oh lord?’ This is what I would think to myself a lot during the past few months after I’d spend a night writing The Union and sending it on to John (Morton). I’d wake up after a few hours sleep knowing I had written something terrible in there and he was going to call me on it. It was too late though. John would give me the notes, tough but fair. And always right. He’d always give me inspiration though when needed. Stuff like, ‘You’re a great writer lad, you’ll get there’ or ‘Just get stuck in lad, it’s going to be great’.
There was a handful of ideas I gave John years ago, but we all knew The Union was the one. Funny thing is, if this play had been produced three years ago, it would have been a lot different to what it is now. Ironically, I have spent a lot of time writing plays about college while I myself dropped out in my first year. The college was great, I love the college atmosphere and the opportunities but at the time, it wasn’t for me. I was heading in a different direction. I hadn’t a clue where I was going, I still don’t. I’m just chasing dreams and hoping I end up where I need to be. I remember feeling like everyone had it together, they knew where they were going. But from talking with friends who are now finished, there’s no difference. We’re all in the same boat. I think it’s all about the person, you’ve got to want it, whatever that is. Maybe you don’t know whats going to happen to you and to you I say, don’t worry, just make the most it, you’ve one chance to tell your own story, make it a great one. Maybe someday I’ll have a degree, maybe arts, psychology, something with a wide range of options. Who knows? For now I just want to make the most of what I have.
I’d written a few plays for Spark Productionsbefore now, coming of age stories with lots of romantic storylines in them. But this play was different, you can have a lot ideas for stories, but the ones that stick are the ones that get made. Five students locked in a room, trying to figure out who stole 10,000, with an election looming and secrets lurking in the background. Now that’s a play. I wanted to write something that captured my generation, a play that was of the time and for people in their early 20’s right now in 2015. The last five years in general in Ireland, and across Europe have been crazy, it’s history happening right in front of us.
So much that could be done and said with just five characters in a room. In the early months I was feeling the pressure and to be honest I was sick of writing. I felt alienated and lonely and that maybe people were seeing a side of me that wasn’t me.’Who gives a fuck?’ I kept thinking. I got a stupid kidney stone twice in the early months and I was in horrific pain and while I lay in the hospital I thought to myself, I didn’t want to leave, it was peaceful. I had stopped watching films and reading and I just wanted to give up.
I love films, music, books and theatre. I’m the kid who wanted success and fame in a massive way because I watched my mother work twenty jobs to keep us fed and warm. For a while there I gave up, I was on the dole, felt like I had no chances, but now here I am, full time job, Devious producing something I’ve written and most importantly of all, hope. Still no girlfriend, but shur look.
The first time I watched The Breakfast Club I was 16, it was on late one night on RTE. I stayed up and recorded it. I remember it so vividly, watching this story about five completely different people stuck in a room with one another, but at the same time, they were all in it together, although they were different. They still had the same needs. You watch that and you’d want to thank John Hughes for writing it. I wanted to do that, I wanted to write something great for any teenager who’s just trying to get through those crazy amazing years. If you haven’t watched it, then get off the Facebook and do so. The feeling you get watching it when you grow up is incredible and that’s how I want an audience to feel, I want an audience to leave with their sides sore from laughing, their hands hurt from clapping and a lump in their chest or a tear from their eye, because that made me feel great and I hope it does the same for you. Sharing that with an audience, in a room together, full of friends, with smiles on their faces, is something that brings me great joy.
If I was describe this play in a word... it’s a bomb. I wanted a play that felt like you’ve been punched repeatedly non-stop. John really wanted me to unleash the beast on this. From a writers point, I also wanted to do something that shows I’ve improved as a writer and that I’m moving forward. I’ve worked with Devious for years now, and you can’t believe how happy I am that they are bringing this show with a great cast to my hometown of Graiguenamanagh, a beautiful town full of great, funny people, that is rich in arts and character and just great people. Over the past few months of seeing the support from my close friends and seeing the support of some great people at home, I now feel like moving towards telling those stories, the stories of a great town, about the people I know. Like Passion Machine Theatre Company did for the people of Dublin in the 80’s with works from great writers like Roddy Doyle and Paul Mercier. Stories about the family man working hard to help his family. The stories of how a community can come together. The stories about embracing our ruralness and the greatness of that.
For all those who have seen my work before, my friends, my family and anyone at all really. I hope you come to see this play, because I wrote it for you. I want you to leave laughing and knowing that the 10 or 12 quid you spent on a ticket was worth it, it will be. Without an audience or support, what’s the point? And yes I know Ed Sheeran is playing July 24th and 25th and fair play to him but if some ginger kid who used to busk on a street can make it to Wembley Stadium, then maybe anyone can? Maybe we just have to think there’s a little ginger kid in all of us. Just like John Bender did at the end of The Breakfast Club, I might someday have that moment where my fist hits the air and I walk proud for achieving something. Maybe someday I’ll have great success and be able to give back. Right now all I can do is write. Try my best. Keep going. It’s going to take strength and it’s going to take heart, but I think that comes from the people you know, the people who you support and support you back and I guess I need that. I think we’re all looking for that moment at some point in our lives and I hope you all get it. That fist to the air. That walk away. That rock tune blaring in your head knowing you made it.
For all those who have and will support, I thank you. It’s more appreciated than you may realise. Love Adrian ‘Razor’ Kavanagh.

The Union opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. Previews take place on Adrian's home turf in The Duiske Inn, Graiguenamanagh on July 24th & 25th. For ticket bookings please go to: http://devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/

The penultimate member of The Union is in attendance.The Welfare Officer of St. Dominic’s Student Union is played by Colin O'Brien.
€10,060 stolen. 5 suspects. Let’s see how united this Union really is. #stdominics4ever
The Union opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. Previews take place in The Duiske Inn, Graiguenamanagh on July 24th & 25th. For ticket bookings please go to: http://devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/

The third member of The Union joins our roll call for the show.The Sports Officer of St. Dominic’s Student Union is played by Hazel Doyle.
€10,060 stolen. 5 suspects. Let’s see how united this Union really is. #stdominics4ever
The Union opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. Previews take place in The Duiske Inn, Graiguenamanagh on July 24th & 25th. For ticket bookings please go to: http://devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/

Here's our next look at the members of The Union.The Ents Officer of St. Dominic’s Student Union is played by Niall Morrissey.
€10,060 stolen. 5 suspects. Let’s see how united this Union really is. #stdominics4ever
The Union opens in Cleeres Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny on July 29th and runs until August 1st at 8pm nightly. Previews take place in The Duiske Inn, Graiguenamanagh on July 24th & 25th. For ticket bookings please go to: http://devioustheatre.com/buy-tickets/